Cricket Statistics: Kumar Sangakkara Getting Better with Age in Vintage 2014

Kumar Sangakkara continued his blistering run of form on Friday, cruising to an unbeaten 102 against Pakistan in Galle to leave Sri Lanka at 252-2 when rain stopped play on Day 3 of the first Test.

After Younis Khan's 177 had steered the visitors away from early trouble and into a strong position, the graceful Sangakkara again proved to be his side's key man, reaching his 10th century against Pakistan in just 20 Tests—the fifth-highest number of triple-figure scores against one opponent in history. 

Remarkably, the esteemed left-hander continues to pile on the runs, despite being in—theoretically, at least—the twilight years of his glittering career. 

Already in 2014, the 36-year-old has struck hundreds against Bangladesh (319 and 105), England (147) and now Pakistan (102 not out), having also reached a pair of fifties during Sri Lanka's recent series against South Africa. 

Indeed, a quick look at Sangakkara's record for the current calendar year leaves one wondering how long the sixth-highest run-scorer in Test history can continue in this manner.

Mat	Runs	HS	Ave	100s	50s
9	1210	319	86.42	4	7

Perhaps what's most impressive is that the Sri Lankan currently sits as the No. 1 batsman in Test cricket in 2014 for both total runs and batting average, even after difficult series against England and the Proteas. 

And it's not as though Sangakkara has been without challengers: England's Joe Root and Gary Ballance have continued to impress, Angelo Mathews has gone to another level as captain, Kane Williamson has been outstanding for New Zealand, Brendon McCullum struck an unforgettable triple-hundred, Steve Smith's emergence has kept snowballing and Mahela Jayawardene has proved as timeless as his trusty teammate.

But with characteristic elegance, Sangakkara has quietly outperformed them all. 

Player	Mat	Runs	HS	Ave	100s	50s
Kumar Sangakkara	9	1210	319	86.42	4	7
Mahela Jayawardene	9	915	203*	70.38	3	4
Angelo Mathews	9	846	160	76.90	2	5
Kaushal Silva	9	711	139	44.43	1	5
Gary Ballance	7	665	156	60.45	3	2
Brendon McCullum	5	622	302	62.20	2	0
Joe Root	6	599	200*	85.57	2	2
Kane Williamson	5	583	161*	64.77	3	1
David Warner	4	575	145	71.87	3	2
AB de Villiers	5	462	116	46.20	1	2

Eranga Jayawardena/Associated Press

References of Sangakkara being something of a fine wine may, of course, be cliche, but they are nonetheless accurate.

Since making his Test debut 14 years ago in 2000, the left-hander's batting record has grown more and more formidable as the years have passed. 

Although his career average hovers around an imposing 58, the Sri Lankan's statistics since passing the age of 35 are nothing short of extraordinary.

Age	Mat	Runs	HS	Ave	100s	50s
22 - 24	24	1717	230	49.05	4	8
25 - 29	43	3775	287	57.19	10	14
30 - 34	44	4380	219	60.00	16	17
35+	16	1895	319	72.88	7	11

To put that average of 72.88 since his 35th birthday into perspective, only the incomparable Sir Donald Bradman has ever been better with the bat after reaching the same point on the timeline. 

Superior in that regard to names such as Tendulkar, Kallis, Ponting, Sobers, Lara, Border, Waugh, Gavaskar and Pollock, Sangakkara is continuing to ascend into rarefied air. 

Player	Mat	Runs	HS	Ave	100s	50s
Sir Donald Bradman	15	1903	234	105.72	8	5
Kumar Sangakkara	16	1895	319	72.88	7	11
Eddie Paynter	13	1249	243	69.38	4	4
Shivnarine Chanderpaul	35	2838	203*	61.69	8	11
Gary Kirsten	14	1231	137	61.55	5	6
Imran Khan	18	1037	136	61.00	2	7
Ken Barrington	21	1731	148	59.68	6	8
Bruce Mitchell	10	1072	189*	59.55	3	6
Jacques Kallis	26	2163	224	56.92	10	5
Sir Jack Hobbs	33	2945	211	56.63	10	12

Of course, the veteran has been particularly brutal on Pakistan during his Test career; Misbah-ul-Haq's men likely feeling that Groundhog Day grips their existence when faced with the relentless Sri Lankan.

The minnows of Test cricket—Zimbabwe and Bangladesh—have also copped their fair share from Sangakkara.

Yet, only serving to enhance the 36-year-old's reputation further is that he averages more than 40 against every opponent in the game.

Opponent	Mat	Runs	HS	Ave	100s	50s
Australia	11	878	192	43.90	1	7
Bangladesh	15	1816	319	95.57	7	7
England	22	1568	152	40.20	3	9
India	15	1257	219	57.13	5	2
New Zealand	10	672	156*	48.00	3	2
Pakistan	20	2588	230	83.48	10	10
South Africa	17	1534	287	47.93	3	7
West Indies	12	918	157*	54.00	3	5
Zimbabwe	5	536	270	89.33	2	1

The question now facing Sangakkara is: How much heavy lifting can he continue to do for his nation, given that his longtime companion Mahela Jayawardene is preparing to exit the international arena? 

Eranga Jayawardena/Associated Press

With the former captain set to play his final Test in Colombo next week, the burden shouldered by the left-hander will only increase. 

Partnership	Inns	Runs	High	Ave	100s	50s
Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar	143	6920	249	50.51	20	29
Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes	148	6482	298	47.31	16	26
Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara	118	6411	624	56.73	18	27
Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer	122	6081	255	51.53	14	28
Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss	132	5253	229	40.40	14	21
Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting	76	4765	272	67.11	16	22
Marvan Atapattu, Sanath Jayasuriya	122	4533	335	39.41	9	24
Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag	87	4412	233	52.52	11	25
Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar	71	4173	281	61.36	12	16
Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman	86	4065	376	51.45	12	14

In Jayawardene's absence, Mathews will need to maintain his newly discovered level, Kaushal Silva's second coming must keep going, Kusal Perera will need to make the next jump and Kithuruwan Vithanage must build on his solid start.

But the bulk of the scoring will still likely have to come from Sangakkara.

Based on the evidence of 2014 and on a record that only seems to become more impressive by the year, that shouldn't be a problem. 

All statistics courtesy of ESPN Cricinfo.